Shloka 2.14.20

सत्यपाशः — Kaikeyi’s Demand and the Noose of the King’s Promise

Devanagari script

ततः पापसमाचारा कैकेयी पार्थिवं पुनः।उवाच परुषं वाक्यं वाक्यज्ञा रोषमूर्छिता।।।।

Transliteration

tataḥ pāpa-samācārā kaikeyī pārthivaṃ punaḥ |

uvāca paruṣaṃ vākyaṃ vākyajñā roṣa-mūrchitā ||

Translation

Then Kaikeyī—of sinful conduct, skilled in speech, and dizzy with wrath—again addressed the king with harsh words.

Context

Thereafter, Kaikeyi of sinful conduct and skilful in the use of words, rendered senseless by wrath, again addressing the king in harsh words said:

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī
• Daśaratha

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

The verse cautions that anger and manipulative eloquence can drive adharma—speech becomes ethically charged when used to harm and coerce.

What is the narrative situation?

The narrator describes Kaikeyī’s emotional state and her renewed verbal assault on Daśaratha.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrast (through negative description), the implied virtue is self-control in speech; Kaikeyī is shown lacking restraint due to wrath.